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Can Resveratrol Really Help You Shed The Pounds?

In recent years there has been an unrelenting buzz surrounding resveratrol. People have been throwing around wild claims about this powerful antioxidant, calling it a “wonder drug” and the long-lost “fountain of youth.” One of the most exciting findings about this substance is its supposed ability to help you lose weight. But what is the real story and what resveratrol reviews prove that this can help you naturally take off the pounds?

It is first useful to understand exactly what resveratrol is. This compound is created when certain plants are under attack by fungus or bacteria. It is most concentrated in the skins and stems of red wine grapes and is one reason why scientists increasingly believe that red wine has numerous health benefits.

To get a high enough level of resveratrol, however, studies have shown that you would need to drink hundreds of bottles of wine per day. To make it easier to consume concentrated doses of this nutrient, many companies now offer a resveratrol capsule that contains anywhere from 25 mg to 500 mg per tablet.

It is important to understand that there is no widely accepted dosage level for resveratrol supplements. Some studies have suggested that you need to consume at least 250 mg of resveratrol per day to see health benefits, while other trials have found some benefits in lower doses.

Research into resveratrol’s role in weight loss has been promising, but is still in the early stages. In humans, resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene, which serves to activate the fight response within our cells. When we restrict our calories, SIRT1 is activated to break down stored fat and give us energy. It is thought that by activating the SIRT1 gene, resveratrol can mimic the effects of a low calories diet without the need to actually eat less.

In 2006 Dr. David Sinclair of the Harvard Medical School published a landmark study that showed resveratrol counteracted the detrimental effects of a high-fat diet in mice. Those mice that were given resveratrol had higher metabolisms and burned more calories than those that were not given the compound. Similar studies have confirmed anti-aging and heart-protecting benefits of resveratrol.

However, to date, no study has been performed on humans that verifies resveratrol can help you lose weight. There are several pharmaceutical versions of resveratrol currently undergoing FDA trials and the results of these tests will go a long way towards confirming or denying the studies done on rodents.

The FDA trials are not likely to be completed for several years, which has led many people to start consuming resveratrol supplements before the results are in. There have been dozens of anecdotal stories of individuals using resveratrol to lose weight, but these are difficult to confirm.

If you are thinking about adding resveratrol to your diet, consult with your physician first. If you get the go-ahead, you might just find that resveratrol can benefit you in numerous ways. After all, the healthier you then the easier it will be for you to get approved for a Miami health insurance plan AND to be eligible for the best rates!